Miss Universe 2022 candidates wearing Filipino-made gowns at preliminaries

Pinoy creativity once again took center stage at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant.

Several candidates wore evening gowns made by Filipino fashion designers during the pageant’s preliminary competition held on Wednesday night, January 11, 2023 (January 12, PH time), at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Here are some of them:

MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES

Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi looked like an angel in her crystal-embellished gown by Los Angeles-based fashion designer Oliver Tolentino.

The 25-year-old model picked the sky-blue color since her name “Celeste” means “heavenly” and “sky blue.” It was also her way of paying tribute to her late father who gave her that name.

Read more: FIRST LOOK: Celeste Cortesi stunning in sky-blue gown at Miss Universe 2022 preliminaries

MISS UNIVERSE USA

Filipino-American beauty queen R’Bonney Gabriel, who is representing the U.S., donned a sophisticated trumpet gown in the Pantone color of the year “Viva Magenta.”

Designed by Rian Fernandez, R’Bonney’s gown comes with a halter neckline, skin-baring cut-outs, and a detachable oversized cape shawl.

MISS UNIVERSE CAMBODIA

Cambodia’s pride Manita Hang looked exquisite in her blue-and-purple Rian Fernandez gown.

For the top part of the gown, Rian took inspiration from a tailored suit. Adding more flair to his masterpiece is a fully beaded sheer skirt.

In an Instagram post, Miss Universe Cambodia Organization gave more details about Manita’s gown.

Part of their caption read: “The colors purple and blue represents royalty and serenity.

“The bead embroidery pattern depicts the intertwined branches of the historical banyan tree swirling in different direction as it will untangle the long-wait hunger for the crown.”

MISS UNIVERSE BAHRAIN

Evlin Khalifa of Bahrain dripped in sparkles in her custom gown by Dubai-based Filipino fashion designer Furne One Amato.

MISS UNIVERSE MALTA

Maxine Formosa Gruppetta of Malta looked stunning in her bright yellow gown by Laguna-based fashion designer Louis Pangilinan.

In an Instagram post after the preliminaries, Louis talked about the rationale behind his design: “women’s passion and desire that beckons from afar that simply reveals a modern transformational woman.”

MISS UNIVERSE GREAT BRITAIN

Miss Universe Great Britain Noky Simbani also flaunted her curves and showed her best runway walk in a form-fitting Louis Pangilinan gown.

Noky also went for “Viva Magenta.”

In an Instagram post, Louis said the gown, which features a halter neckline and a side slit, was carefully hand-embellished with beads, sequins, and premium crystals.

His creation also signifies Noly’s “source of empowerment to encourage all women to push themselves, seek adventure, and be empowered in the workplace”

This is the second time Louis dressed up candidates from Malta and Great Britain.

MISS UNIVERSE MAURITIUS

Fashion designer Carl Andrada made a lavender-colored column gown with a sweetheart neckline for Miss Universe Mauritius 2022 Alexandrine Belle-Etoile.

MISS UNIVERSE SEYCHELLES

Miss Universe Seychelles Gabriella Gonthier glittered on stage in a sultry, golden Carl Andrada gown.

Carl’s creation comes with thousands of crystals that are hand-sewn into the gown. It also features a sky-high slit with side cut-outs flaunting Gabriella’s best assets.

MISS UNIVERSE SPAIN

Alicia Faubel of Spain slayed the preliminary evening gown competition wearing a creation by Leo Almodal.

The 26-year-old beauty queen, who has worked in the Philippines as a model, features a plunging neckline, off-shoulder detail, and very elaborate silver crystal beadwork.

San Juan City-based designer Ehrran Montoya made this stunning red gown as Alicia’s national costume for Miss Universe.

The design was inspired by Flamenco, which, according to britannica.com, is “a form of song, dance, and instrumental (mostly guitar) music commonly associated with the Andalusian Roma (Gypsies) of southern Spain.”

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